[PKMN OPEN] Dusk Til Dawn: An Orre Story [T] (IC)

Dusk Til Dawn: An Orre Story
GM: PastelPhoenix (aka the guy posting this)

OOC
​

A hot and dry wind blew into the little bar at the center of Station Town. Built out of an old train, the bar was once the only worthwhile thing here, until a few more had moved out to the abandoned station. Now the station wasn't so abandoned as it had been all that time ago, for the first time in a long while the sound of trains leaving the station could be heard once more. The aging barkeep looked up towards the source of the wind to see an old face walking through his door once more.

"Ah, Willie! Or is it Lord Willie now?"

"No need to for the fancy intro." The man said, checking to himself and taking a seat at the bar. "Plus I don't think you'd ever be able to call me Lord with a straight face."

"Finally gave you the job, eh?"

"Michael turned them down for the thousandth time, so they finally got tired of waiting for him and chose me."

"Knew they eventually would." The barkeep muttered, coming out from behind the bar and taking a seat beside Will. "And no offense to you, but people go to the colosseums to have fun. Michael is too good of a trainer, even without that Lugia of his. No fun in watching everyone get beat all the time."

"None taken." Will laughed, brushing back some of his still-dyed pink hair before dropping his voice to a whisper. "But that's not really why I came here today. I think you should know they spotted a Ho-Oh near the border, keeping it real hush-hush."

"You think it's his?" The old man questioned, lowering his voice also.

"How many Ho-Ohs do you think exist in Orre. Plus there have been sightings of him as far as Sinnoh and Hoenn apparently."

"He has to be nearly forty years old, are they sure it's him? Who knows how much he's changed in appearance since we last saw him."

"Positive, not many people have a snag machine outside of Orre, a red haired woman following them, and match the age group. It has to be him."

"Well I don't think he's there for the skiing and surfing, and idea what he's doing out there? It has to be Cipher related."

"We don't know. They officially counted him as missing during that attempted regrouping. They think something scared him out of the region."

"I don't believe it. He faced down Cipher at their strongest. No way a little fringe group scared him."

"Just repeating what I've heard." Will said, standing up and stretching. "Just wanted to drop off that news, gotta get back before they miss me in Pyrite."

"Good luck out there, try not to lose too much."

A light Rules Refresaher (Full rules in (OOC):

Spoiler:

Standard rules apply here (no bunnying without permission, missions are more of a guideline than binding, don't be a jerk, etc.)

Some more specific rules to this RP are:

Purifying Shadow Pokemon take a little time to bond and get the Pokemon to trust again. It isn't something that will happen in a few posts. Also just ask if you want to know if it's a good time for purification.

Shadow Pokemon in this RP, much like Colosseum, don't evolve until they're purified.

Levels and stats aren't tracked for simplicity sake, and the TM, HM, Move Tutor, and Level Up move pools are condensed into one pool that you can use, with a limit of 6 moves learned. You can decide at what pace they learn moves, just be fair with it (You shouldn't have Last Resort after your first post).

Please don't try to snag random Pokemon. It's illegal and this is a more good aligned RP (or at least good motives). If there is enough interest there can be an RP from the other side, but this one isn't it.

Other than that, have fun.

And Accepted Players:

Part I: Outskirt Town

Dry winds blow sand about this small desert town. Once an abandoned train station, new life has found it's way to the area with the revival of Orre industry requiring transport once again. One way or another you have arrived here, Pokemon in tow. This sleepy town would be an ideallic start to your journey.

At least it would be if the town didn't go into lockdown as soon as you arrived. It seems some Snagem members are trying to extort the town's Pokemon. Their Pokemon also seem a little too aggressive, ready to attack pokemon and trainer alike.

Either way this may be a good test of your trainer abilities.

Missions: The Showdown at Station Town

The brightly dressed attackers rode in on motorcycles equally as bright as their clothing and proudly declared themselves the Sangem Rangers. Masks cover their faces, obscuring their identity. They appear to be a new gang, and split themselves up into different sections of the town. Perhaps foolishly?

Snagem Ranger Rojo:
The excited man who appears to be their leader is ran to the town center, whooping and hollering. It was reported that several burst of fire were spotted in his area, and that he appeared to be using a Pokemon that is common for new trainers in other regions for most of the hold-up, and it seems to be in an evolved state.

Rojo's Team:

Spoiler:

???

Snagem Ranger Azurro
Calm and collected, Azzuro took point near the town well and only raised his voice to yell his orders. His attacks seem targeted and precise, leaving his targets soaking wet. His Pokemon is common among newcomers, and has also reported as evolved.

Azzuro's Team:

Spoiler:

???

Snagem Ranger Vert:
Vert walked angrily towards the community gardens and took point there. She appears upset about something, and snaps at the towns people often. Her pokemon is said to blend into the garden well, and like the previous two is mostly owned by new-ish trainers and has evolved at least once.

Vert's Team:

Spoiler:

???

Snagem Ranger Weiss:
Weiss yells his orders just a little too quickly, and no one understood him. He seems to not be able to stand still, and is pacing often. His Pokemon was seen soaring above the residential district, and most people encounter it early in their journey. There are mixed reports over if it's evolved or not.

Weiss' Team:

Spoiler:

???

Snagem Ranger Bruin:
Bruin is standing near the outskirts of the town, supposedly looking for stragglers. However, she seems to be in a bit of a daze, and looks like she could fall asleep at any time (if she isn't already). Her Pokemon was described as a little plain and average looking, and supposedly may have evolved, although reports are conflicting.

Bruin's Team:

Spoiler:

???

Chapter 1: Children of Snagem​

"Nope, still don't see anything"

The man dressed in Gray reported back to the other, similarly dressed trainers sitting around the campsite, lowering his binoculars. This location had a good view of Station town, and the signal itself should have been clear, even from this far out. Something was wrong, the others were getting held up in station town somehow.

"Are you sure?" The woman in yellow asked, checking her laptop for any more messages. "No one should be in station town strong enough to stop five of them. No Colosseums or strong law enforcement to speak of."

"Positive, me and Azzuro tested this several times. Anyone should be able to see it from here."

"And they aren't just idiots fighting with each other?" The final member, a woman clad in purple said, popping a large gum bubble. "I mean we put Weiss on the same team as Vert. She's probably going to start something, and you know Rojo will just take his side."

"That's exactly why we sent them to different zones." The man responded, picking up his bike helmet. "Plus, even though they bicker like children in the base, they're both professional enough not to let this get between them. They've been fine on other missions before."

"Going out there?" The yellow one asked?

"Yeah, you two with me."

"Beats sitting here." Purple sighed, grabbing her helmet.

All three of them made off to their bikes, hidden under a tarp to hide the glare, and began the ride to Station Town.

Part 1.5: Reinforcements for Station Town (for the new players)

In the midst of the showdown, it appears some more unwanted guests have shown up. Three more Snagem Rangers rode into town from an unused exit, and seem bent on turning the tides. Some last minute resistance from the people of station town have slowed them a bit, but the newcomers seem to be no pushovers themselves.

Added Missions:

Snagem Ranger Melyn:
Melyn's approach has been cold and calculated, only using attacks that she knew would connect. Her stature isn't intimidating, but her Pokemon pack a powerful shock, and has knocked out the power for the shopping district.

Melyn's Team:

Spoiler:

???

Snagem Ranger Lilla

Lilla seems delighted to finally be battling, but is carefully approaching. She appears to be sticking to the shadows, advancing through alleys and areas of little resistance. Her Pokemon seems to prefer sneak attacks and carefully tracking their prey.

Lilla's Team:

Spoiler:

???

Snagem Ranger Sivo:
Sivo is a large, imposing man who has marched down the street at his own steady pace. He seems to prefer fighting defensively, and hasn't really been slowed by more than his own pace. His pokemon seem to be a solid as stone, and can take quite a beating.

Sivo's Team:

Spoiler:

???

LANDING​

Terminus​

THE ALPHA​

Seth Pike

Tilting his hat a little lower, Seth lit another cigarette, taking a deep drag, and exhaling slowly. The smoke curled around the brown leather, caressing the silky material, before drifting lazily upwards towards the dark oak ceiling of the bar in which he sat. In the corner, Seth could gaze upon the whole restaurant without being noticed by others, relaxing in the shadows yet remaining constantly alert. The restaurant was dark, the only lighting coming from the sun through windows on one side of the restaurant, opposite to Seth. The walls were dark oak wood, covered with paintings of various figures. One of which depicting Michael, a figure Seth had encountered once before, the second hero of Orre having torn Cipher's organisation apart during their project XD. The bar was made of a lighter polished wood, and bottles of various liqueurs and spirits lined the shelves behind a bartender, wiping down a beer glass with a clean rag.

Seth sat at a small round table where a deck of cards, a tumbler of malt whiskey and an ashtray could be found, all conveniently within arm's reach, not too far and not too close; Just how Seth liked it. In the centre of the room a family of four, two children and their parents, ate. Their conversation was energetic, but not overly loud. Besides them, Seth observed a couple on a first date. The girl was shy, but the guy seemed to play the whole thing rather cool. Yet something in his eye made Seth wary. After watching the couple for a while longer, the girl got up to use the restroom. Just as Seth was about to avert his gaze, he noticed the guy pulling something from his coat pocket. A small vial of clear liquid, which the guy unstoppered and tipped into the girl's drink. Seth frowned. The girl came back and sat smiling at the guy, who returned the gesture. Seth stood. The girl raised the glass to her lips, and he noted the gleam in the guy's eyes. Just as the glass touched her lips Seth put a hand on her shoulder, startling her and causing her to drop the glass which smashed with a high pitched ring on the floor.

"Wha' do you think you're doing?!" The guy shouted at Seth, who looked the guy straight in the eye. Seth's piercing emerald eyes seemed to intimidate the guy, who's spine folded at the look he gave.
"Pathetic," Muttered Seth, who lifted his hand from the girl's shoulder. "Pardon ma intrusion ma'am, but that fellow there spiked yer drink." The girl's mouth dropped and quick as a flash, her hand hit the guy's cheek with a crack, knocking him from his chair sprawling on the ground. She then promptly stormed out of the restaurant, turning heads to the scene of the commotion. Having drawn the attention of the bartender, he walked over with a questioning look on his face. Seth turned calmly towards him and gestured down to the guy picking himself up off the floor. "This here fellow spiked that woman's drink. I leave him in your care." And with that, Seth walked out.

Outside, the musty smoke smell cleared in an instant, replaced with a dry sandy scent which irritated the nose. A light wind blew, stirring small pockets of sand from their resting places. A whistle blew, and the horn of a train could be heard shortly after. People bustled too and from the open-air station, dressed in various forms of attire. A few lines of houses, and a small shopping district made up the rest of the town. In just a few years the Outskirt Stand, with just a lonely restaurant, had become Station town, an impressive transformation in Seth's eyes. Off in the distance, an explosion similar to an engine backfiring could be heard, and several motorcycles approached the town. Five in total, each motorcycle carried a driver in black pants and a coloured top. Each had also a strange mask, wrapping around their faces, covering their identities. The group rode to the centre of town, declaring themselves as a group of rangers intent on claiming the town's Pokémon before splitting up off into various areas of town. A police detachment followed them shortly after their arrival, setting up a perimeter around town to prevent the group's escape. Seth began to wander to one of the side streets he'd saw a ranger head down, but before he could walk more than ten steps, three more motorcycles broke through a blockade and joined the ranks of the other five rangers. They too split off on their own in an attempt to steal the Pokémon of those they encountered. Seth began again to head towards one of these side streets.

No more than twenty yards in front of him, Seth witnessed a large man knock a small boy to the floor, wrenching the Pokéball he clutched dearly from his small hands. The man held his prize up high and with a chuckle shoved it in his pocket. Seth strode up to the man, who was taller and bigger than he, grabbed his shoulder, and kicked his legs out from under him. The brute hit the floor with a grunt and Seth stepped back to avoid being hit from his lashing about. The ranger jumped up with another grunt.
"Whoever did that is gonna pay!" He growled. Seth tilted his hat down.
"In that case Ah'll be payin'." The ranger swivelled to face him, his face red with anger, his brow tilted to a v-shape.
"I'm gonna enjoy beating you to pulp." He grinned, the menacing look having no effect on Seth's composure. Instead, Seth simply lit another cigarette, then raised his hat slightly to stop the smoke drifting into his eyes. "Get a taste of my Shadow Pokémon punk! I'm Sivo, and you'd do well to remember who it was that broke you!" And with that, he threw two Pokéballs into the air, releasing a Ryhorn and an Aron. The smaller, silver-coloured Pokémon had a strange purple aura surrounding it, and Seth felt the amulet at his neck tapping his energy. He nodded slightly in understanding. In response, Seth released two Pokémon of his own, his Umbreon and Espeon. The two appeared before Seth and looked at one another, purring at each other before looking to Seth.

"Awright you two. We've got a Shadow Pokémon on our hands here. We're gonna focus on that Rhyhorn first, then it's outta tha way." The two Pokémon nodded, and turned to the enemy. "Let's go, Espeon, use Confusion. Umbreon, use Reflect!" Seth instructed the two Pokémon in front of him. Off to the side, the boy was watching around the corner of a house. Espeon's eyes glowed, and the enemy Rhyhorn was hit with a blast of psychic energy, knocking it backwards a little. Umbreon's yellow rings glowed brighter, and a blue translucent barrier appeared between the enemy and Umbreon and Espeon. Their defence was slightly raised!
"Huh, we ain't gonna let you do what you want! Rhyhorn use Horn Attack, Aron use Shadow Blitz on that Umbreon!" Sivo shouted aggressively. The Rhyhorn charged first towards Umbreon, yet as it reched the barrier, the energy of the attack was disipated slightly, and the damage Umbreon took was reduced. Umbreon's naturally high defence allowed it take the hit with relative ease. Umbreon then braced itself for Aron's impact. Aron charged through, the barrier again disipating some energy, but the attack hit much harder, the super effectiveness of Shadow Moves evident as Umbreon took longer to recover from the second hit. "How do you like that? Hurts doesn't it!" Sivo laughed. Seth simply took a drag of his cigarette, before giving his next commands. "Espeon use Confusion again, Umbreon use Bite!" Espeon used the attack again, hitting Rhyhorn hard. Umbreon charged across the sandy path, jumping and biting down on Rhyhorn's head hard, dealing significant damage to it as well. But Rhyhorn stood tall after both attacks.
"Haha, it's gonna take more than that to knock us down! Aron, use Shadow Shed, Rhyhorn hit 'em with another Horn Attack!" The Rhyhorn, prepared to charge, and as it did so, Aron released a pulse of shadow energy, which collided with the Barrier as Rhyhorn charged, destroying it and allowing Rhyhorn to land a blow full power on Umbreon, who's energy had now dropped to half. But Rhyhorn had to be in a worse position, after two sets of Confusion and Bite, Seth was sure that next turn Espeon would drop it.
"Okay here we go, let's set the end game plan in motion shall we. We're gonna drop that Aron as low as it can, and confuse it where possible," Seth took a deep drag. "Okay, Umbreon use Swagger on that Aron, Espeon drop that Rhyhorn with Confusion." Espeon meowed an affirmation and began her attack. She swung her head, firing the psychic energy at Rhyhorn, which hit it like a truck, Espeon having hit a lucky critical hit, ensuring Rhyhorn's defeat. Seth shrugged, impressed at his luck. Rhyhorn attempted to stand, but eventually collapsed under its own weight and fainted. Sivo growled and returned Rhyhorn to its Pokéball. Umbreon adjusted his position, and a gleam in his eyes goaded the enemy Aron. The Aron became angry, and it's attack was sharply raised, but it also became confused by the move.

"Aron, hit 'em with Shadow Blitz again!" Sivo stomped angrily. The small metal Pokémon attempted to draw out the shadow energy inside it, but in its confusion drew too much energy and hurt itself.
Seth took another drag. "Good job you two. Last thing te do. Umbreon, use Foul Play, Espeon use Helping Hand." Espeon faced Umbreon, and a link between her and him formed, Espeon lending Umbreon her strength for the next move. Umbreon charged at the Aron, jumping around it, before suddenly striking it from behind. The Aron tumbled. As it slowly pulled itself back up, Sivo growled at it. "Use Shadow Blitz you moron!" Aron filled itself with shadow energy managing not to go too far and charged Umbreon again, who took the hit. He slowly pulled himself up, extremely low on energy. Seth took a last drag, before chucking the butt of the cigarette to the ground and treading on it. He breathed deeply and quickly drew his revolver snag machine from his waist and fired it, quick-draw style. The snag machine fired a Pokéball which struck the Aron on the head and absorbed it. It quickly dropped and began to roll. Once. Twice. Thrice. With a click the Pokéball locked shut and the Pokéball returned to Seth. And just like that the battle was over. Sivo stared in disbelief.
"What the heck?! You've got yourself a snag machine?!" He cried. Seth merely walked up to him and held out his hand, waiting to be given something. Sivo looked at his hand then back at Seth. "Wha- Oh, you want the kid's Pokémon." Seth nodded. Sivo hesitated for a moment, before pulling out the small Pokéball and handing it to Seth, his head hanging in shame. As Seth walked away from him, Sivo jumped onto his motorcycle and roared off away from the town. Seth noted the direction he was heading, before approaching the boy at the corner. The rest of the street was empty, but windows had onlookers to the battle under the sun. Seth handed the Pokéball to the boy.
"Thanks sir!" The boy grinned, grateful that his Pokémon hadn't been lost. Seth patted the boy on the head.
"Ya gotta be strong kid. Bad guys like him ain't never going away. Don't let people jus' walk over you. Show 'em you mean business." And with that Seth wandered back towards town, giving Umbreon a few Oran Berries to replenish his health, and returning the two to their Pokéballs. In the centre of town, Seth wondered how many others had been fought, and how many Pokémon had been stolen already. He moved to the shade of a nearby building and waited for a new development.

FIRST OF THE YEAR​

Route 201/Phenac City

​

Route 201

Areas of Interest:

Rocky Outcropping Pokespot:
Located under a large rock overhang thought to have been formed from the ersosion of an old mountain, the shade provided by the rock serves as a shelter from the sun's harsh rays. One of the few places in the desert capable of supporting Pokemon, many small tunnels have formed around the base of the rock, and running water can be heard inside.

Pokemon:

Missions

1) Bells at Dusk:

Travelers along Route 201 often report the sounds of a strange bell ringing off in the distance, just before sundown. The setting sun, as well as the bells themselves, seem to have a strange calming effect on people and Pokemon alike. Many have tried to find it's source, but maybe this time will be different?

Reward Category: Pokemon Item

2) Panic at the Dig Site:

Despite the advancements in Orre law enforcement, the areas outside of densely populated cities still remain a bit of an unclaimed frontier. A recent archeological expedition led by a Professor Roswell has uncovered several Pokemon species, a major discovery in Orre. But word of his discovery has spread, and now one of the Snagem offshoots wants their cut.

Reward Category: Fossil

3) Trainwatching:

With the rebirth of Orre's rail industry, several checkpoints are needed to ensure trains are both maintained and on the proper scheduling. Route 201's station may be on the small side, but that hasn't prevented it from having it's fair share of issues. A group of local punks have taken to using the station as a hangout, and are now disrupting any attempts to get them to leave have failed. Now the owner is offering a reward to anyone able to get them out of the building once more.

Reward: Large Money Reward

4) Spelunking: Hidden Cipher Base

After a sudden sandstorm causes you to lose the road, you stumble upon a small bunker marked with Cipher insignias. The place seems deserted, and by the mess left behind they left in a hurry. Maybe the left something behind by accident?

Limit: 1 character.

Rewards: TM and Start Sideplot Spelunking

Phenac City

Import Shop:

Supporting both families looking for a pet and trainers looking for a new partner, this import show has in stock:

Skitty/Glameow: 3000
Lombre: 4000
Growlith: 5000
Swinub: 5000
Kirlia: 7500
Scyther: 10,000

Phenac City, at first glance, seems different to the rest of the cities around it. Water is abundant, the
streets are a clean white, and people seem to have little worries. But Orre never fails to shine through.
The missing persons board at the city gates is mostly empty now, but a few old ones remain stapled, and dead
in the middle is one over 10 years old, about a teenage girl and her Fraxure gone missing from a wealthy
family.

But before you can dwell on it too long, every screen in the city flickers to an image of a man wearing a mask roughly in the shape of a Houndoom,
a Cipher logo painted on the wall behind him. The man clears his throat for a second, and then starts his speech.

"Hello Phenac City, my name is Theta. As you can probably guess from the wall behind me, I'm here to talk about an old
memory from all of our pasts. Yes, as some of you probably guessed, Cipher did not die all those years back.

"I'm here today to announce a few things to both you, Orre, and the world at large. As we speak, Cipher is going through an internal
management shift. Certain... problems are being handled, and by the end of this speech all of Cipher will be firmly, and unquestionably under my leadership.
And this transition comes with fresh bodies and new faces, free from delusions of past grandeur and misconceptions of what Cipher should be, united once more
under one banner. No more shall we delegate or fight our battles via proxies, there will be no other organizations holding us down, and we shall fight our wars ourselves.

"With that, I propose our new mission statement to you. For the past twenty years I sat back and watched Orre become weak. A change I once welcomed with open arms
has led to the degradation of what makes Orre what it really is. We've turned a blind eye to the harsh realities around us. Arenas once devoted to strength and talent
have become mere entertainment. Worst of all, we've become too afraid to search ourselves and find hidden talents, our drive to improve is gone.

"But you do not understand what I am saying. Not yet. But let's begin with something you do understand, let's play a little game here. I want you to prove your strength.
I have fifteen agents in the city, each carrying an envelope with a red chess piece. That will be your ticket into a chance to prove yourself further, all you have to do is win.
And for the meek among you, do not worry. These men do not have Shadow Pokemon. My rules are simple, be one of the first to win.

"Oh, and for the so called Lords out there that I know are listening, do not attempt to interfere. Your information is surprisingly easy to find. The keys will not register to you,
and anyone who attempts to bring a Lord to the next stage will be disqualified on the spot.

"Happy hunting."

Phenac City Missions:

Story Mission:
Secure an Invitation

Each of the 15 ticket holders are hiding somewhere in the city. In order to get access to whatever Cipher is planning, defeating one of the Judges is in order.

Enemy Cipher Judge:
Team: Breloom, Magmar, Quagsire


5) Lost Lillipup?

A small lillipup has been seen wandering around the city, unusually aggressive in it's attitude. The Lillipup has tried to attack anyone who has attempted to help it, although it's own size thwarts it. There are also rumors about a woman wearing brown trying to track down the Lillipup also, although she does not claim to be the owner. Perhaps tracking it to it's lair may provide more questions.

Limit: 1 character.

Reward: Pokemon, Start Side Plot "Catch and Released?"

6) Missing Persons Report:

A new flier has gone up at the missing persons board. A young boy named Thomas snuck out of the city in an apparent attempt to go to the Pokespot. Now night approaches and his family is afraid he's lost in the desert. Someone claims to have spotted him, moving into an area claimed by a very territorial Cacturne.

Rewards: Pokemon + Small Money Reward or Large Money Reward.

Malfunctioning Water Pump:

Something is causing one of the city's water pumps to pump contaminated water. Right now the valve is shut off, but something needs to be soon before any undue strain is put on the pump. Workers report a strange man entering the tunnels leading to that particular pump sometimes, but no one has been able to catch him in the act. Looks like someone needs to flush him out.

Rewards: Pokemon + Item